Airman facing murder charges could get death penalty

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Shad Eidson
  • Air Force Print News
SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) --  The third motions hearing in the court-martial of an Airman charged with premeditated murder started Oct. 4 at Bolling Air Force Base, D.C.

Airman Calvin Hill allegedly killed Airman 1st Class Ashley Turner on Aug. 14, 2005, at Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland. He could face the death penalty if found guilty of murder.

An Airman found Airman Turner's body in the common room of a base dormitory. An autopsy determined the cause of death to be stab wounds and blunt-force trauma to the head.

Airman Hill faces five violations of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice. They include: Article 118, Murder; Article 134, Obstructing Justice; Article 107, False Officials Statements; Article 121, Larceny and Wrongful Appropriation; Article 86, Absence Without Leave.

Bolling public affairs spokesman Maj. Dave Malakoff said jury selection for the court martial is scheduled to begin Nov. 14.

"And that could take two weeks to complete," he said.

The trial is currently slated to start in late November, the major said.

"The Air Force extends its deepest sympathies and condolences to the Turner family and friends during this time and we share in their loss," said Mike Campbell, also from the Bolling public affairs office.

Before Airman Turner's death, Air Force officials at Keflavik charged Airman Hill with stealing more than $500 from Airman Turner and for being absent without leave. Airman Turner testified against Airman Hill during an Article 32, Trial Procedure, investigation. Article 32 hearings are like civilian grand juries.

During the second motions hearing in August, military judge Col. William Burd denied 12 of the 15 motions submitted by the defense team, Mr. Campbell said. Last week, the defense team submitted an additional nine motions, he said.

"It's important to remember that these charges are allegations and, like the civilian judicial system in the United States, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty," Mr. Campbell said.

Although the convening authority in the case is the Gen. William T. Hobbins, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander. The trial moved to Bolling because Keflavik closed Sept. 30, 2006.

Airman Hill is in pre-trial confinement at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.